First time WDW vacationers - need some advice please

[Bambi D.]

Hello - we are a family of four taking a first time land/sea vacation in Florida. We booked two rooms at the Caribbean Beach Resort and I know I saw something somewhere, in print about getting a refillable cup that can be refilled during our stay. I just don't remember reading anything about where the cup/mug comes from, how do we collect it, where can we refill it....etc. Can it be refilled within the parks or just at our hotel? Can it be used at other WDW resorts, in Downtown Disney (or whatever they call this comparable area in FL)....?
Anyone have any experience with this? I'd love to save some money on waters and/or teas, lemonades.... etc.

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Hi there, we bought the refillable mugs in July last year when we stayed at CSR. We bought the MUDs from the food court as we weren't on a dining plan. You purchase them for the 'length on stay'.


I found this information for you in answer to one of your questions:-

May I only use the Disney Refillable Mug at my resort?

No. Mugs may be used at any Disney-owned resort on property.

While you can’t use your resort mug in the parks (unless you’re getting water), you CAN purchase refillable mugs in the water parks. Disney’s also been rumored to be testing refillable mug programs in the theme parks.

If you can drink tap water, in the parks you can get iced water from the counter service locations for free, the Starbucks shops would also give you iced water, which came in handy when it was so hot. Hope this helps.

 

[Simba07]

This should explain it to you. It only works at the resorts, so unless you are planning on spending a lot of time at the resort, it probably won't help. Ordering drinks from Garden Grocer or other delivery service will likely be a better deal.
http://www.disneyfoodblog.com/disney-refillable-mugs/

 

[mjdis17]

The mug can be purchased/refilled in your hotel's food court- Old Port Royale Food Court- and will cost 16.99. It can only be refilled in a hotel, not in the parks or Disney Springs (that is what Downtown Disney in FL is called). What the previous poster said about the water park mug is correct but that is a seperate mug that ONLY be used in a water park. The mugs can be filled with soda, coffee, hot chocolate, iced/hot tea and any powerade/lemonade drinks available at the refill stations which are located in the food court.

They are good deal if you know you will be consuming a lot of beverages at the hotel/will be spending a lot of time there. However, with a resort like Caribbean Beach, your room may be very far from the food court which means that a long walk is in store just to fill up the mug. Personally I do not purchase the mugs anymore because the walk is a huge deterrent and I barely use the mug because of it.

 

[Bambi D.]

I believe they come with our Dining Plan. I just wasn't sure how to get it and where it could be used. Thank you everyone for the input. I will reach out to the travel agent to see if she knows where we get it.
It's unfortunate that it can not be used in the parks. I don't know what they look like but if it's appropriate - we will likely take them on our DCL cruise scheduled for the day we check out of the resort. So excited - and grateful for the Disboards and all of you for helping to answer these little things that make me stay awake ...LOL

 

[mjdis17]

If you have have a dining plan then yes, the mug will be free for each person in your party on the plan. You will go to the food court and select a mug and tell the cashier you are on the dining plan. They will activate the mug but not charge you.

I am not sure exactly what the design is currently but this is what they have looked like before.

 

[glassslippergirl]

If you are on the dining plan, be sure to focus some of your research on how to maximize its value. DDP is only a good value if you make it one.

 

[heavenlee]

Hi
I am new to this forum.Please i need advice and information on a trip to disney florida in december.
we are a family of 4(2 kids aged 7 and 5) and 2 adults).We like advice on a clean hotel/condo/ with a kitchen that is between seaworld and disney as we hope to visit both places.Advice on cost effective ways of obtaing a ticket to both parks.we are also intending to travel to new york.Is it better to pay for a round trip from london to orlando and take a local flight to newyork.Would we need a winter jacket for december or a cardigan?

 

[heavenlee]

also we do not intend to drive.info on shuttle or alternative means of transport is appreciated

 

[Woodview]

First

Do your trip to New York either on way to Orlando or on way back ( Other wise it eats into Holiday time )

Use your Multi City Option on Airline booking page .

 

[Mrs Doubtfire]

Hi heavenlee,as Woodview suggested I would book a round trip using the Multi City Option as you are then covered if flights are delayed etc, and you can have your international baggage allowance on all flights.

Weather in December can be very variable, some days you might not need a jacket, others you could. One year we went it was really cold and you needed coats, gloves and scarves some days! Other years we have been to the water parks. You will definitely need warm clothes in New York.

If you are staying in a condo, I would recommend that you rent a car, had you thought of this? If visiting Disney more days I would stay nearer to Disney, Seaworld isn't that far away.

We normally rent a condo or townhouse in places such as Windsor Hills, Windsor Palms or Emerald Island, but these are owned individually. For chains you could look at Sheraton Vistana either at Lake Buena Vista or on International Drive. I have only stayed at Disney hotels so cannot advise you on those.

Good luck with your planning

 

[Grumpy92]

I would also take into consideration the dates in Dec. The closer to Xmas and NYs the more planning and reservations you will have to do. This is perhaps the busiest time of the year for WDW. On many days the parks fill to capacity and once the parking lots are full guest staying off property do not get in.

Saying all that the xmas decorations are wonderful and make sure to spend some time just enjoying them especially at the Disney resorts. You might want to look at Wyndham at BC. They offer the condo you are looking for with the convenience. It is on Disney property, they offer a bus to the parks and Disney Springs. Another option one of the DVC resorts or a Wilderness Home at FW.

Extras you might look into:
* Candlelight Processional at Epcot - get the dinner pkg
* Mickey's Christmas party